hiking apparel reviews

The Outdoor Research Microgravity AscentShell Jacket.

Review: Outdoor Research Microgravity AscentShell Jacket

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All-Season Shell Jacket Outdoor Research Microgravity AscentShell Jacket $279, 14 oz./397g (men’s medium) Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL backcountry.com Whether hiking steep hills in steady rain in temps from the 40s to the 30s Fahrenheit or backcountry skiing in heavily falling, wet snow, OR’s Microgravity AscentShell Jacket keep me dry going both uphill and downhill, thanks to the solid waterproofing …

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The Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody.

Review: Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody

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Breathable Insulated Jacket
Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody
$259, 12 oz./340g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s XS-XXXL, women’s XS-XXL
arcteryx.com

From days of backcountry skiing and winter hikes in my local foothills to biking around town on cold days, the Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody has spent almost as much time on me as it does in my closet. In a category of breathable insulated jackets designed for being active in cool to cold temps—like backcountry snow sports, hiking, and climbing—the Atom LT Hoody’s weight and features make it uniquely versatile for a wide range of activities and users.

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The North Face Summit L3 Ventrix Hoodie.

Review: The North Face Summit L3 Ventrix Hoodie

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Breathable Insulated Jacket The North Face Summit L3 Ventrix Hoodie $300, 15 oz./425g (men’s medium) Sizes: men’s and women’s XS-XL moosejaw.com From cool summer evenings and mornings in camp on a six-day backpacking trip in Utah’s High Uintas Wilderness to days of backcountry skiing in a full range of winter weather, The North Face Summit L3 Ventrix Hoodie demonstrated a …

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Outdoor Research Skyward Jacket.

Review: Outdoor Research Skyward II Jacket and Pants

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Winter Shell Jacket
Outdoor Research Skyward II Jacket
$350, 1 lb. 7 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
backcountry.com

Winter Shell Pants
Outdoor Research Skyward II Pants
$299, 1 lb. 5.5 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
backcountry.com

OR’s Skyward II Jacket and Skyward II Pants have demonstrated unique versatility as winter shells over numerous days of backcountry skiing in a full range of conditions. I’ve skinned uphill and skied downhill through hours of dumping snow in temperatures in the teens and 20s Fahrenheit without ever taking the jacket off (and obviously not removing the pants) and remained comfortable skiing in single-digit temps (with an insulation layer under the jacket) and weather shifting from falling snow to sunshine.

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The Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket.

Review: Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket

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Ultralight Rain Jacket Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket $170, 6 oz./170.1g (men’s medium), $180, 6 oz. (women’s medium) Sizes: men’s XS-XXL, women’s XS-XL backcountry.com Whether hiking through heavy, cool mist while backpacking the Wonderland Trail in Mount Rainier National Park, pulling this shell on frequently to fend off cold wind and rain showers during a five-day backpacking trip in The …

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